Problems in LEDC’s – why are populations so large? ·Before looking at the Population growth, it is important to understand the reasons why people in LEDC's have large families: ·Children are needed to work on the land and grow food or for income for the family ·Few people have access to pensions so rely on their children to keep them in old age or when sick ·Many children die when they are young so a couple will have 8 children in the hope that 4 will survive ·The most popular religions in poor countries - Islam and Catholicism disprove of birth control and encourage large families ·Birth control methods may not be available ·Poor education especially of girls Problems in MEDC’s – the problems of an aging population ·In MEDC's the major problem is that of an ageing population and the reduction of the birth rate. The main reasons are: ·Higher living standards and better healthcare has meant that people are living longer ·As most children being born survive until old age less children are being born ·As women have the same rights as men they are putting off having children till later in life ·Children cost a great deal of money - The average cost is estimated at £165,000 from birth to 18 yrs ·People do not have to rely on children as they have good pensions and the country provides lots of services for the old age pensioners ·Many now have access to birth control methods, are educated and now have the choice of a career or a materialistic lifestyle. ·At present the average number of children per couple in Italy, Spain & the UK is 1.3 - replacement level is 2.1
Problems in LEDC’s – why are populations so large?
· Before looking at the Population growth, it is important to understand the reasons why people in LEDC's have large families:
· Children are needed to work on the land and grow food or for income for the family
· Few people have access to pensions so rely on their children to keep them in old age or when sick
· Many children die when they are young so a couple will have 8 children in the hope that 4 will survive
· The most popular religions in poor countries - Islam and Catholicism disprove of birth control and encourage large families
· Birth control methods may not be available
· Poor education especially of girls
Problems in MEDC’s – the problems of an aging population
· In MEDC's the major problem is that of an ageing population and the reduction of the birth rate. The main reasons are:
· Higher living standards and better healthcare has meant that people are living longer
· As most children being born survive until old age less children are being born
· As women have the same rights as men they are putting off having children till later in life
· Children cost a great deal of money - The average cost is estimated at £165,000 from birth to 18 yrs
· People do not have to rely on children as they have good pensions and the country provides lots of services for the old age pensioners
· Many now have access to birth control methods, are educated and now have the choice of a career or a materialistic lifestyle.
· At present the average number of children per couple in Italy, Spain & the UK is 1.3 - replacement level is 2.1